French word

modeste

Pronunciation

IPA/modɛst/

Meaning

  • adjectivehumble

Example

Elle reste modeste malgré son succès.

She remains humble despite her success.

Illustration for modeste (humble)

More examples

Il parle de ses succès de façon modeste.

He speaks about his successes modestly.

Core concept

A person receives recognition without turning it into a boast.

Common phrases

  • rester modeste

    stay modest

  • une attitude modeste

    a modest attitude

Similar words

humble: Presenting personal value as lower than it really is out of deference.
réservé: Showing little emotion or opinion and maintaining a quiet, composed manner.
timide: Feeling uneasy around unfamiliar people and responding with restrained speech or actions.

Definition in French

Qualifie une personne qui montre peu ses qualités, évite de se vanter et adopte la discrétion.

Word origin

Modeste is an inherited French form from Latin modestus, derived from modus, and its sense developed around restraint rather than self-display.

Usage tips

  • After praise, Merci is often more natural than Je suis modeste, which can sound self-labeling or ironic.

Other meanings

  • modestadjective
  • reservedadjective

Opposites

  • fierproudadjective
  • immodesteimmodestadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word